About Flashpoint

For limited time only, save 18.20% on the Flashpoint Four way Focusing Rail Fine Control, for Macro Photography dropping from 54.95 to 44.95 and Shipping is free! . Bonus: No sales tax either, unless you live in New York or New Jersey.

I got this because I'm starting out in macro and didn't want to spend hundreds on a name brand focus rail. I am relatively happy given the cost, but if it was much more I would be disappointed. The focus rail is made from solid materials, the adjustment is tight and the fit and finish is adequate. But, looking at it you can tell it is budget and not quite precision equipment. The fine adjustment is okay for 1:1 macro work, but finer gearing is needed if you do extreme macro. I was attempting ...

I got this because I'm starting out in macro and didn't want to spend hundreds on a name brand focus rail. I am relatively happy given the cost, but if it was much more I would be disappointed. The focus rail is made from solid materials, the adjustment is tight and the fit and finish is adequate. But, looking at it you can tell it is budget and not quite precision equipment. The fine adjustment is okay for 1:1 macro work, but finer gearing is needed if you do extreme macro. I was attempting to photograph snowflakes at 2:1, and it was still difficult to dial in focus. I discovered that 2x isn't really enough for snowflakes, but if I went up to 3-5x I think it would be real hit or miss to achieve focus. You would need something with finer adjustment. The locking knobs on the unit are more like friction adjustment, cranking down as much as I could on them still let the adjustment knobs move. Also, the mount screw on the top is a tad short, but adequate. This focus rail would be great if you do 1:1 macro work with flowers, etc. But you do get what you pay for, and I don't think this is an exceptional value.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Good for nothing!

To me this gizmo has one and the only purpose - precise positioning camera on tripod. But because of bad fit between rails and almost impossible to tight fixing screws in position this unit is not good for me!

Reviewed by 63 customers

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

4.0

This really works

By Randy P+

from Wheaton, Il
-
Hobbyist/Enthusiast

I have only used it once so far, but it helps when I am trying to get close and keep the object in focus. I use it with a bellows where there is all most no depth of field.

I'm using this X-Y stage in combination with my Manfrotto 055XProB tripod and 498RC2 ball head. This low-cost stage sits on top of the ball head then a low-cost Manfrotto RC2 Compact Rapid Connect Adapter w/3157N Plate on top of the stage and then my Canon 5D3 + MP-E65mm macro or 100L macro lens on top of that :-). So far, all is well. Many hobbyists recommend this X-Y stage and I can see why. It works good enough to produce good results for focus stacking macro shots. If I did this for a living, I'd invest the $100's more needed for a professional level unit for its reliability and precision controls. Keep an eye on the threads in the base. It doesn't seem to be made of the toughest material, while the rails are of a decent grade metal. There is a bit of "slop" in the gearing but it doesn't seem to effect the operation. If you are a hobbyist, buy it and have fun!

Amazing build quality, functionality, an appearance for a very reasonable price. It easilysupports my Canon 1DX with the canon MPE-65 macro lens and ring flash attached. I use it for all my tripod mounted macro work. My lens at 5X life size has a DOF of less than 1mm! So this rail has solved lots of problems. And for less than 50 bucks! Its only weakness is that when pointed straight down its locks struggle to prevent downward slip.

I was hoping that this rail would add some support to my multi-focused macro images, unfortunately, unless you are prepared to work very close to the subject, this is of no use. I own the Canon 180mm macro lens, and one of its benefits is a much larger "working distance". That is, I can move farther away from the subject and still get incredible shots. Once I have moved a distance from the subject, let's say, six feet, the focusing rail serves no purpose. I prefer to include as many shots as possible, stacked, to produce an exceptional depth of field, and extraordinary macro images. I guess this rail goes on the shelf with the other photographic equipment that will never be used. One other thing. A focusing rail that moves right and left, serves no purpose whatsoever when it comes to macro shots. I knew this before I bought the rail. Good news though. Most folks don't have the luxury of owning the 180mm lens so they'll probably be working closer to the subject and might have a use for the rail.

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Questions about this item:

EARL K
Primarily from the advice of a photo pro,and the fact is was within my budget...........and I was quite pleased with its functionality.

Mark M
Will this system work with a Pentax K-5?

JOHN S
Yes. I have used this focusing rail with a Pentax K-5 without difficulty.

Joyce S
Will this focusing rail work with a Nikon D90?

EARL K
If the size of the D90 is similar to the D80, which I have,it should work well.I used it to take macro photographs using a Sigma 180 mm macro lens and it produced excellent photographs of insects...........